Systems and methods for power management of a mobile electronic device. During operation of a modular mobile electronic device, module power characteristic data of a plurality of modules coupled to the electronic device is collected. Each module is coupled to the electronic device via a respective module interface of the electronic device. A module power model is updated for at least one module of the plurality of modules based on module power characteristic data collected for the at least one module. A context-aware power budget of the electronic device is updated based on updating of the module power model for the at least one module. Module power flow of the electronic device is adapted based on updates to the context-aware power budget. Adapting module power flow includes adapting allocation of power in real-time to at least one power consumer module coupled the electronic device via a respective module interface.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising: during operation of a modular mobile electronic device, using a power controller of a system of the electronic device to: collect module power characteristic data of a plurality of modules coupled to the system, each module being coupled to the system via a respective module interface of the system; update a module power model for at least one module of the plurality of modules based on module power characteristic data collected for the at least one module; update a context-aware power budget of the electronic device based on updating of the module power model for the at least one module; adapt module power flow of the electronic device based on updates to the context-aware power budget, wherein adapting module power flow comprises adapting allocation of power in real-time to at least one power consumer module coupled the system via a respective module interface and wherein adapting module power flow comprises using the power controller to bypass a module communication network packet switch of the electronic device for communication between modules coupled to the system via respective module interfaces.
A modular mobile electronic device dynamically manages power. During operation, a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces. This data includes module power usage. The controller updates a power model for at least one module based on the collected data. A context-aware power budget for the device is then updated. Based on the updated power budget, the device adapts module power flow, allocating power in real-time to power-consuming modules. Power flow adaptation also includes using the power controller to bypass the module communication network's packet switch for direct communication between modules.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein collected module power characteristic data of a module includes at least one of power production data, power storage data, power consumption data, and contextual data.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, collects module power characteristic data that includes power production data (how much power a module generates), power storage data (how much power a module stores), power consumption data (how much power a module uses), and contextual data (environmental or operational conditions).
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein collected module power characteristic data of a module includes at least one of state of the module, presence of other modules coupled to the system via respective module interfaces, and state of the other modules.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, collects module power characteristic data that includes the module's current operational state, whether other modules are connected, and the states of those other connected modules. This data is used for power management decisions.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising using the power controller to: update a system-level power model responsive to updating of the module power model for the at least one module.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, also updates a system-level power model based on the updated module power model. This allows the device to optimize power consumption at a system-wide level, in addition to individual modules. The power controller is used to update the system-level power model.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the module power characteristic data collected for a module is data generated by a power monitor/control unit (PMC) coupled to the module via the module interface of the module, the PMC generating the data during operation of the electronic device and the module.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, relies on power monitor/control units (PMCs) attached to each module. The PMC generates power characteristic data during operation and sends this data to the power controller through the module interface. The power controller uses this data for power management.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modules includes at least one power storage module and at least one power consumer module.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, includes at least one power storage module (like a battery) and at least one power consumer module (like a display or processor). The power controller manages the power flow between these modules.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of module includes at least one power production module.
The modular mobile electronic device, which includes at least one power storage module and at least one power consumer module as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, also includes at least one power production module (like a solar panel).
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein adapting module power flow comprises controlling power production by at least one of: controlling at least one power production module coupled to the system via a module interface; and controlling at least one PMC that is coupled to a power production module.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, adapts module power flow by controlling power production. This can be achieved by directly controlling a power production module, or by controlling a power monitor/control unit (PMC) associated with a power production module.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein adapting module power flow comprises controlling power storage by at least one of: controlling at least one power storage module coupled to the system via a module interface; and controlling at least one PMC that s coupled to a power storage module.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller adapts module power flow by controlling power production as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, also adapts module power flow by controlling power storage. This can be done by directly controlling a power storage module or by controlling a power monitor/control unit (PMC) associated with a power storage module.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein adapting module power flow comprises controlling at least one PMC of the system to perform at least one of limiting current draw via a module interface coupled to the PMC by using a current limiter; and decoupling the module interface from a power network of the system by using an interface switch.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller relies on power monitor/control units (PMCs) attached to each module as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, adapts module power flow by controlling a PMC to limit current draw through the module interface using a current limiter, or by disconnecting the module interface from the system's power network using an interface switch.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein adapting allocation of power in real-time to at least one power consumer module comprises adapting the allocation of power by using a module priority score of the at least one power consumer module, the priority score being based on a user experience benchmark that indicates the extent to which the at least one power consumer module's power draw affects a user experience of the electronic device.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, adapts power allocation in real-time to power-consuming modules by using a module priority score. This score is based on how the module's power usage impacts the user experience. Modules critical to the user experience receive a higher priority.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein in a case where two or more power consumer modules perform a same task, adapting allocation of power in real-time to at least one power consumer module comprises adapting the allocation of power by allocating power to one of the two or more power consumer modules based on respective priority scores.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, adapts power allocation when two or more power consumer modules perform the same task. Power is allocated to the module with the highest priority score.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein adapting module power flow comprises coordinating power draw timing between two or more power consumer modules.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, adapts module power flow by coordinating power draw timing between two or more power consumer modules. This prevents simultaneous power spikes and optimizes overall power usage.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein adapting module power flow comprises using the power controller to control a plurality of power source modules to supply power via the system by using at least one module voltage regulator of the electronic device.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, adapts module power flow by controlling multiple power source modules to supply power via the system. This control utilizes module voltage regulators within the device to ensure stable power delivery.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein adapting module power flow comprises using the power controller to bypass a module communication network packet switch of the electronic device for communication between a display module and another module coupled to the system via respective module interlaces.
The modular mobile electronic device, as described where a power controller collects power characteristic data from modules attached via module interfaces to dynamically manage power, adapts module power flow by bypassing the module communication network's packet switch for direct communication between a display module and another module. This reduces latency and power consumption for display-related tasks.
16. A mobile electronic device system comprising: a plurality of module interfaces, each module interface constructed to removably couple a module to the system; a module power network constructed to provide power transfer between modules coupled to the system via respective ones of the plurality of module interfaces; a power controller coupled to the module power network, the power controller constructed to, during operation of the system: collect module power characteristic data of a plurality of modules coupled to the system, each module being coupled to the system via a respective module interface; update a module power model for at least one module of the plurality of modules based on module power characteristic data collected for the at least one module; update a context-aware power budget of the electronic device based on updating of the module power model for the at least one module; and adapt module power flow of the module power network based on updates to the context-aware power budget, a module communication network (MCN) constructed to enable data transfer between modules coupled to the system via respective module interfaces, the MCN including an MCN packet switch constructed to direct communication between modules via data links between the modules; a first switch coupled to a first module interface of the plurality of module interfaces and switchably coupled to the MCN packet switch, the first switch constructed to communicatively decouple from the MCN packet switch responsive to control provided by the power controller; wherein adapting module power flow comprises adapting allocation of power in real-time to at least one power consumer module coupled the system via a respective module interface and wherein the first switch is constructed to communicatively couple to a second module interface responsive to control provided by the power controller.
A mobile electronic device system includes multiple module interfaces for removably coupling modular components, such as sensors, processors, or peripherals. The system features a power network that enables power transfer between these modules, managed by a power controller. The controller collects power characteristic data from connected modules, updates power models for each module, and adjusts a context-aware power budget accordingly. Based on these updates, the system dynamically allocates power in real-time to prioritize critical modules or functions. Additionally, the system includes a module communication network (MCN) with a packet switch to facilitate data transfer between modules. A first switch connects a module interface to the MCN packet switch but can decouple from it under power controller direction, allowing reallocation of communication resources. The power controller can also redirect the first switch to connect to a different module interface, enabling flexible communication routing. This design ensures efficient power distribution and communication management in modular electronic devices, optimizing performance based on real-time operational context.
17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of voltage regulators, each voltage regulator electrically coupling a respective module interface to a power bus of the module power network.
The modular mobile electronic device system, as described with multiple module interfaces for attaching modules, a module power network for power transfer, and a power controller that collects power data from attached modules, includes multiple voltage regulators. Each regulator connects a module interface to the module power network's power bus, ensuring stable power delivery to each module.
18. The system of claim 16 , further comprising: a plurality of module interface communication switches, each module interface communication switch being coupled to one of the plurality of module interfaces and switchably coupled to the MCN packet switch; wherein the first switch comprises a display switch that is constructed to communicatively couple to one of the module interface communication switches responsive to control provided by the power controller; and wherein each module interface communication switch is constructed to communicatively decouple from the MCN packet switch responsive to control provided by the power controller.
The modular mobile electronic device system, as described with multiple module interfaces for attaching modules, a module power network for power transfer, and a power controller that collects power data from attached modules, includes module interface communication switches. Each switch connects to a module interface and can decouple from the MCN packet switch. A display switch can connect to one of these interface switches, bypassing the MCN under control of the power controller.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the first switch comprises a display switch.
In the modular mobile electronic device system with multiple module interfaces for attaching modules, the switch that can decouple from the MCN packet switch and connect directly to another module interface, as described with multiple module interfaces for attaching modules, a module power network for power transfer, and a power controller that collects power data from attached modules, is a display switch.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the module power network includes a power bus having a power bus voltage range of 3.3 to 4.8 VDC.
The modular mobile electronic device system, as described with multiple module interfaces for attaching modules, a module power network for power transfer, and a power controller that collects power data from attached modules, features a module power network that includes a power bus with a voltage range of 3.3 to 4.8 VDC.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
April 7, 2015
August 1, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.